+ FORECAST OUTLOOK: MAN-YI is expected to reach Super Ty-phoon strength tonight with projected wind speed of 250 km/hr. The 2 to 3-day medium-range forecast (Jul 13 to 15) shows the system passing very close to Okinawa, Japan early tomorrow afternoon, Friday the 13th - with its closest approach of 50 km. WNW of Kadena Air Base in Okinawa at around 2 PM Japan Time. It shall then recurve towards the NE to ENE passing along the beachfront-coastal areas of Kyushu, Shikoku & Honshu beginning Saturday afternoon, Jul 14 until Sunday evening Jul 15. The eye of MAN-YI is forecast to make a coastal passby over Southern Honshu Sunday morning, Jul 15 - passing directly or very close to Metropolitan Tokyo (at around 5 PM Japan Time). MAN-YI is likely to become an Extratropical Cyclone after crossing the coastal areas of Honshu, Japan or over the North Pacific Ocean (early Monday morning, Jul 16).

+ EFFECTS: MAN-YI's over-all circulation remains large and continues to cover most of the Philippine Sea. Its outer bands is expected to reach Okinawa and the Ryukyus today, with its inner bands tonight. Typhoon-force winds w/ mode-rate to heavy rains can be expected tomorrow as the core (eye + eyewall) of MAN-YI approaches. Coastal Storm Surge flooding of 13 to 15 feet above normal tide levels...along with large and dangerous battering waves can be expected near and to the north of MAN-YI's projected path. Flash floods and mudslides are imminent along river banks, low-lying and mountainous areas of Southern Japan. Extra-pre-cautions must be implemented NOW as the powerful typhoon moves closer.

+ CURRENT MONSOON INTENSITY: Southwest (SW) Monsoon affec-ting most of the Philippines today until Sat or Sun (Jul 14-15) as Typhoon MAN-YI continues to enhance it. Cloudy skies with possible intermittent passing rains or thunder-storms can be expected across the country w/ SW'ly winds of 30 km/hr or higher, becoming more frequent along the Western sections of Palawan, Panay, Mindoro, Southern Lu-zon and Western Visayas. Western Luzon and Metro Manila may experience this monsoon system beginning tonight. Mudslides and flooding is likely along river banks, low-lying & flood-prone areas of Western Luzon & Western Vi-sayas. Stay tuned for more Monsoon updates on the next advisory.

+ TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCH: N/A.

Important Note:Please keep in mind that the above forecast outlook, effects & current monsoon intensity, and tropical cyclone watch changes every 06 to 12 hours!_______________________________________________________________________

* - Based on PAGASA's Philippine Storm Warning Signals, # 4 being the highest. Red letters indicate new areas being hoisted. For more explanations on these signals, visit: http://www.typhoon2000.ph/signals.htm

** - Based on the Tropical Cyclone's Wave Height near its center.__________________________________________________________________________________________>> To know the meteorological terminologies and acronyms used on this update visit the ff: